Latham Almshouses kindly shared with the Association and members the challenges they came up against getting double glazing into a listed building and how they were successfully overcome.
“The Latham Almshouses date back to 1500 and were Grade II listed in August 1972. There are ten terraced houses, eight with one bedroom and two with two bedrooms. They are managed by Lathom Almshouse Charity who provide homes for older people and people with disabilities.
In May 2019, the trustees decided that they would replace all the front windows, which were in poor condition and single glazed, with new double glazed units as recommended in the Quinquennial inspection 2018 report.
The Almshouse Clerk, Stuart Cunningham obtained specifications from a number of window manufactures who supplied hardwood windows with sliding sash windows. He also contacted the local council to arrange a meeting on site with one of their building inspectors to discuss the new windows.
In Oct 2019 the inspector agreed that the new windows could be double glazed, however, he wanted the middle window to slide. Stuart informed him that all the sliding windows were sealed up or broken and he would prefer to fit an opening middle window as it would be easier to open and close for the elderly residents who had reported that were finding it difficult to open the sliding middle window. Sadly the building inspector insisted on a sliding middle window.
Stuart contacted The Almshouse Association for some help with this issue who were very helpful and supplied Stuart with a letter in support the trustees revised planning application.
Due to Covid-19, no further correspondents were undertaken until mid-2020 when Stuart was informed that the previous building inspector had left and a new one had been appointed. When he met with the new building inspector he informed Stuart that the new windows could not be double glazed and would have to have secondary glazing retro fitted.
Following the meeting Stuart met with the trustees and discussed the new building inspector’s requirements. It was decided that a company who specialise in planning matters should be appointed to a revised planning application. Wallis & Co were appointed by Stuart, they produced the revised planning application, which they submitted to the council along with the letter of support from the Association. Planning permission was finally approved in December 2020.
Stuart obtained three updated quotes from local window manufactures and a meeting of the trusties was held in April 2021 to decide on the manufacturer. Southbank Joinery were appointed to manufacture the windows from Accoya timber.
The council asked for one new window to be installed before they gave permission for all the windows to be installed. This was done in November 2021 and following a visit by the building inspector he gave the go ahead to install the remaining ten windows.
Sadly due to Covid-19 a shortage of glass in the UK delayed the installation, five windows were installed in December 2021, with the rest are due to be installed by the end of January 2022, weather permitting!”
Thank you for sharing your experience Latham Almshouses. Well done for your perseverance !
If you have a story you would like to share with members about overcoming planning/renovation obstacles, please do get in touch.
Posted 3 February 2022